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Almost a World Record Breaker

(Teddy Mars #1)

Molly B. Burnham (Goodreads Author),

Trevor Spencer (Illustrator)

4.01 · Rating details · 310 ratings · 64 reviews

Sid Fleischman Humor Award Winner!

Fans of Jeff Kinney's humor and Sharon Creech's heartfelt stories will love this hilarious new series about a ten-year-old boy from a big family who dreams of making it into The Guinness Book of World Records.

Teddy Mars is determined to stand out in a world full of wonders and a house bursting with siblings. With the help of his best frien ...more

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Hardcover, 224 pages

Published March 24th 2015 by Katherine Tegen Books

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Community Reviews

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· 310 ratings · 64 reviews

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Start your review of Almost a World Record Breaker (Teddy Mars #1)

May 24, 2017 Jamie rated it liked it

Shelves: ssyra-2017-18

3.5
I enjoyed Teddy's antics, but really disliked the little brother and how the parents never backed up Teddy. I kind of got angry at his parents for letting Jake destroy all of Teddy's stuff! ...more

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Jul 15, 2017 Jennifer rated it liked it

Shelves: kid-stuff, ssyra

I think kids will enjoy reading about the pigeons, Teddy's "crazy" family, and his attempts to break world records. Reading this book as an adult, Teddy's parents drove me nuts! ...more

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Oct 05, 2017 Megan Anderson rated it liked it

Shelves: bullying, formystudents, realistic-fiction, blog, 2017, blog-done, comic-novel-hybrid

You can’t see it right now, but I’m heaving a massive sigh. I’m not sure where to begin, but I know it should probably be with something good about the book. You other teachers have been there, right? You have a conference for one of your students, and you know you need to say something positive, but all you can come up with is “he always puts his name on his papers” or “she is always sure to cough into her elbow”? That’s sort of how this book is for me.

Um…it won an award? A humor book award, ev ...more

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May 24, 2017 Erin rated it really liked it

Shelves: j-funny, j-realistic-fiction, j-recommended

Teddy Mars is one of seven kids, and in order to make himself stand out he decides he is going to break a record and get himself in The Guinness Book. Along his record-breaking journey, he learns quite a bit about family, friends, and (randomly) pigeons.

I could really identify with this book because when I was a kid, I underwent a similar quest... not so much to stand out in my family as for the glory of seeing my name eternalized in print. I spent much of my free time one year in an attempt to ...more

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Jan 10, 2020 Violet rated it it was amazing

Molly B. Burnham, you've done it!

My daughter finished this book and immediately ran downstairs and begged me to find book two. I have wanted each of my children to find a book that would excite them to the point they want the author to write another or they want to read the next book in the series. This is that book and that author.

Here are thoughts from my daughter. "Most families have two kids, in this book there are seven. It reminds me of our family because there are more girls than boys in ...more

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Jan 12, 2018 Siska rated it it was amazing

Shelves: for-fun, pop-fiction

I enjoyed this very much. It was fun, hilarious, and I love the ending. As an adult reading this, I could understand Teddy's feelings, while also understanding Teddy's parents. I love the ending, and it has smart ways of putting in facts from Star wars and Guinness world records all over the story line.

I would recommend this to any ten year old, with or without any younger brother, as well as adults. Finished it right away as I couldn't put it down. ...more

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Jul 17, 2017 Kimberly Bower MLIS (gladeslibrarian) rated it really liked it

Shelves: ssyra-2017-2018-3rdto5th, 2017-summer-reading

⛤⛤⛤⛤ 4/5 stars for TEDDY MARS: ALMOST A WORLD RECORD BREAKER. This was a fun story and many students will enjoy reading it. I'll definitely purchase both this title and a copy of GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS for our media center. I deducted a star for the helplessness felt due to the lack of parental support for which Teddy begged. ...more

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Jul 25, 2017 Kim rated it liked it

A boy with 6 brothers and sisters is determined to break a world record. I think 3-5th graders will like it. Lots of cool facts and the main character slept outside in a tent. Not a favorite - his parents didn't seem to provide enough supervision and the youngest brother was allowed to be too wild. I would want my parents to stick up for me if my younger sibling ruined all of my things. ...more

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Jul 03, 2017 Erin rated it really liked it

Shelves: childrens, realistic-fiction

Again, through kids eyes, this is a very cute story and I like that it is for kids, written for kids, and not dumbed down.

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Oct 28, 2017 C rated it liked it

Shelves: childrens, humor

A funny story on trying to break different world records.

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Dec 05, 2017 Tricia Gleason rated it it was amazing

Shelves: morning-calm-books

I thought it was a great book about the quirks of family life, learning to become more sensitive to the needs of others, and reaching for one's goals. Definitely an enjoyable read. ...more

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Mar 08, 2018 Manda rated it really liked it

I read this to my kids and they loved it! Cute, funny, unique characters.

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Sep 26, 2018 Darby marmillion rated it it was amazing

I LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Jan 06, 2021 Shilpa Khokhar rated it really liked it

Nice book for young readers, Which tells the story of a nine years old boys' daily life at school and at home, specially when you have 6 siblings to share with. ...more

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Feb 27, 2021 Russell rated it it was amazing

Fun book about friendship and determination, re-read a lot of times.

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Oct 03, 2016 Sanjit rated it really liked it

Teddy Mars is a very humorous book. The conflict is also really light.

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Feb 21, 2017 Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* rated it it was amazing

Shelves: elementary, essential

Burnham, Molly Teddy Mars Almost a World Record Breaker 215 pgs. Katherine teagen books (harper Collins), 2015. $6.99 Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G Violence: G
Teddy has a big family so he never quiet gets enough attention. To make matters worse he has a little brother named Jake, who he has nicknamed the Destructor, and he drives Teddy nuts. Teddy loves World Record Books and wants to someday break his own record. In the meantime he has taken a job feeding the pigeons that t ...more

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Feb 25, 2015 Venus rated it really liked it

Review originally posted on Children's Atheneum

The first time I was away from my family, really away, was when I went to Europe at fourteen. When I called my mother from Hungary and she asked how things were going, I joyfully exclaimed that it was awesome because I didn't have to buy anything for anyone else. Yes, I was in Europe and the best part of the trip was that I didn't have to share. So is the life of someone in a big family. Obviously, I found myself relating to Teddy in many ways. Alth Review originally posted on Children's Atheneum

The first time I was away from my family, really away, was when I went to Europe at fourteen. When I called my mother from Hungary and she asked how things were going, I joyfully exclaimed that it was awesome because I didn't have to buy anything for anyone else. Yes, I was in Europe and the best part of the trip was that I didn't have to share. So is the life of someone in a big family. Obviously, I found myself relating to Teddy in many ways. Although I was the oldest child, there were some of the same frustrations I had. Don't get me started on the time that my brothers utterly destroyed the dollhouse furniture that my great-grandmother made and gave to me along with a dollhouse, which was also damaged.

Teddy is a normal child with normal obsessions who really is trying to find his place in the midst of all the chaos. In frustration, he ends up moving into a tent in his back yard, tired of sharing a room with his younger brother who doesn't know the meaning of the words, do not touch. I love how determined he is, even when the weather turns cold, to stay in that tent simply because it gives him the personal space that he desperately needs. He also gets his own job feeding pigeons next door, which gives him an additional boost of confidence and independence. The facts from the Guinness Book of World Records added some fun metaphors and parallels. It would be a great gift idea to pair the World Records book with Teddy Mars.

What I disliked was the fact that the parents really do allow their youngest child to get away with extremely bad behavior. It is one thing to not fight with him about sitting at the dinner table, it is quite another to allow him to destroy his siblings things without repercussions. He is never disciplined for his actions, even when they cause serious disruptions of things like soccer games. I get that this family has seven kids, but the reason their youngest son does the things he does is because there are zero consequences for his actions. If I was this kids older sibling, I would be upset too. Even more upset if my parents invalidated my feelings by saying, "he doesn't know any better" when he is clearly old enough to know better.

That said, this story really is about Teddy and it is a good story. The reading level is perfect for kids who have outgrown chapter books, but may not be ready for Harry Potter yet. There is plenty of humor, cute illustrations, and a ton of facts that keep the story interesting and fresh. A great read for any kid who loves facts or is looking for their place in the world. ...more

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Jul 28, 2014 Katie Fitzgerald rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: level-middle-grade, source-edelweiss, 2015, genre-realistic-fiction, audience-children

Teddy Mars lives in a hectic household overrun by siblings, the most annoying of whom is his younger brother, Jake, nicknamed the Destructor for the way he is constantly ruining things that belong to Teddy - and sabotaging his attempts at getting into The Guinness Book of World Records. When he receives a tent for his birthday, Teddy takes the opportunity to move outside into the yard, which leads to an unlikely friendship with "Grumpy Pigeon Man," the next-door neighbor who hires Teddy to help Teddy Mars lives in a hectic household overrun by siblings, the most annoying of whom is his younger brother, Jake, nicknamed the Destructor for the way he is constantly ruining things that belong to Teddy - and sabotaging his attempts at getting into The Guinness Book of World Records. When he receives a tent for his birthday, Teddy takes the opportunity to move outside into the yard, which leads to an unlikely friendship with "Grumpy Pigeon Man," the next-door neighbor who hires Teddy to help care for his flock of pigeons.

Elementary school readers - especially boys - love to read The Guinness Book of World Records, so the references to world records in this book will be a strong hook to get them interested in Teddy's story. Equally appealing are the references to Star Wars, which also never seems to fall out of popularity. There is a scene where Teddy and his friends give the pigeons names from the Star Wars franchise which would be the best passage to read during a library booktalk. Also interesting is the information the story provides about pigeons and about Cher Ami, a real homing pigeon who delivered messages during World War I.

Some elements of the story are weak. It is frustrating that Teddy's parents don't try harder to keep his brother from acting out so much, and that they allow Teddy to continue living in the tent even when temperatures grow cold. It also seems ridiculous that the parents expect the owner of the pigeons to wake Teddy up each morning. Another unnecessary addition to the story is the scene at school where Teddy's teacher gives a politically correct spiel about celebrating holidays. It doesn't seem to have a purpose in the story other than to throw a bone to diversity, and it feels inauthentic. It is certainly possible that a teacher would give such a spiel, but it doesn't fit well in this particular book. Overall, though, the book's strengths far outweigh these minor weaknesses, and Teddy's is a new and excellent voice in middle grade fiction for grades 3 to 5.

In tone and subject matter, this book is very similar to the Life of Ty series by Lauren Myracle, though it seems like Teddy Mars could appeal to a slightly older audience. (Life of Ty could be considered a chapter book, but Teddy Mars is definitely middle grade.) Other read-alike series might include Calvin Coconut, Charlie Bumpers, and Mason Dixon.
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Jul 28, 2014 Ms. Yingling rated it liked it

E ARC from Edelweiss Above the Treeline

Teddy has a large family, and the children are all very individual. Teddy's interests are Star Wars and the Guinness Book of World Records, which he eagerly peruses with his friend Lonnie. He's NOT a fan of his young brother Jake, who does disgusting things like climbing into Teddy's bed... with wet pajamas. Teddy gets a tent for his birthday and decides to move into the yard to live, and his parents, who have to look out for the interests of six children, ...more

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May 06, 2015 Stephanie Holsather (A Fun House) rated it liked it

Shelves: young-readers

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher.

Teddy Mars: Almost A World Record Breaker is a humorous (fart jokes, bed wetting, little brother trouble, cat boxes, world record breaking attempts) story about the daily life of a ten year old boy living in a family with 7 children, two parents and a cat. Teddy's main goal in life is to get into the World Record book - any way he can - so, many of the short, easy to read chapters focus on those attempts. Teddy is a likable character for those of ...more

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Apr 18, 2015 Martha rated it really liked it

Shelves: 3-6-realistic-fiction

One of seven children in his family, Teddy Mars craves the attention his siblings get from their passions. Oldest sister Sharon is a serious singer, twins Caitlin and Casey have each other for fun activities, Maggie's passion is running, Grace is sarcastic, critical, yet bright,the "observer," main character Teddy, who is almost ten, is obsessed with the Guinness Book of World Records, and the possibility of accomplishing something amazing enough to receive a world record of his own. Youngest br ...more

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Dec 13, 2015 Jtimko rated it really liked it

Shelves: cincy-clear, coming-of-age, realistic, humor, family, concept

Teddy has one immediate goal in life- to break a world record. He lives in a chaotic household. He has to put up with five sisters and a frustrating younger brother. He decides to move out of this hectic house into a tent in the backyard. He befriends an elderly neighbor who raises pigeons and helps with their care. After a series of disasters, he manages to break a world record. Read this book and discover just what record he has broken!
Finally a book that boys will read and relate to! Teddy i ...more

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Feb 18, 2016 Robyne rated it really liked it

Shelves: childrens-books, 2016-reads

Poor Teddy comes from a family of seven children. He often feels forgotten in the bunch especially as his little brother Jake is a walking disaster determined to ruin poor Teddy's life. With the help of his friends Teddy decides to do whatever it takes to get his name into the Guinness Book of World Records.

This book was very amusing and will definitely appeal to kids. We feel for Teddy and his woes with his little brother and what kid wouldn't want to pitch a tent in the backyard and live there ...more

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Aug 24, 2016 Wendy MacKnight rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2016-reads

It's hard to write really good, really funny kids book. Molly B. Burnham has made it look effortless in this debut. Teddy Mars (and his family and friends!) is an unforgettable character, the hard done by straight man to his family of zanies. But Teddy's got a dream - get in the Guinness Book of World Records. And if his little brother Jake, AKA The Destructor, would leave him alone, he might succeed. Teddy's adventures - working for a curmudgeonly neighbour, a new friendship with Viv (an only c ...more

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Oct 12, 2015 Julie Williams rated it really liked it

Teddy Mars lives in a big family- 5 older sisters and a younger brother. Teddy is a pretty normal boy but he's obsessed with breaking a world record. He makes several attempts in the book but his younger brother, Jake, the Destructor ruins everything. In desperation, Teddy moves into a tent to escape his brother. In the midst of all the record braking and family craziness, Teddy starts to help his neighbor, The Grumpy Pigeon Man, with his pigeons.

Teddy is a cute character and the chapters are q ...more

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Feb 09, 2017 Tamara the Librarian rated it really liked it

Shelves: 3rd, 4th, family-dynamics, funny, friendship

Entertaining story about a boy in a family of 7 children who loves pigeons and World Records.

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Mar 10, 2015 UWE Library rated it really liked it

Book Review by R.H.

Teddy Mars: Almost a World Record Breaker by Molly B. Burnham

Teddy was trying to break a World Record, but he can't seem to break one because along comes his brother Jake. His new boss, Grumpy Pigeon Man, has Teddy take care of his pigeons. He calls Teddy...well, you will have to read the book to find out.

My favorite part of the story was when they try to break a Star Wars record.

If you like reading about Guinness World Records, you would like Teddy Mars: Almost a

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Feb 19, 2015 Eliza Factor rated it it was amazing

My eight year old daughter swiped Teddy Mars from my desk before I could read it. She got into bed with it, and I kept hearing laughter from her bedroom. When she finished, I asked her what she thought of the book. "It's really funny," When I read it, I found myself tearing up on the subway. It is funny. Family life is like a big, huge blob taking everything over. But it is also wonderfully warm and wise about the importance of everyone being recognized. ...more

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Feb 24, 2015 Andréa rated it liked it

Shelves: arc, kids, a-owns, diversity

What a cute story! Readers will relate to Teddy Mars whether they have 0 siblings or a whole gaggle of 'em. The Mars family is fun and crazy and frustrating, but at the end of the day, what matters is that they're a family and they help each other out.

Note: I received an ARC from the publisher. ...more

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